<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Environmental quality assessment of the Lake Engure drainage area, which is the LT(S)ER region of the Latvian National Long-term Ecological Research network (Latvia LTER), was conducted using three bioindication methods based on Scots pine <italic>Pinus sylvestris</italic> L.: unspecific bioindication by pine needle tip necrosis, ground level ozone assessment by pine needle chlorotic mottling, and chemical analysis of pine bark. Samples were collected from 40 sites of the region in November 2010. Extent of needle tip necroses did not exceed class 4 (maximum possible value 6). The highest value of index of needle damage by ozone was Idam = 1.62 (maximum possible value 6). Multiple regression analysis of variables describing bark chemistry and needle damage in relation to distance from the sea, nearest roads and villages was performed. Pine bark acidity pH(KCl) and concentration of Mg and Fe decreased significantly (<italic>βpH(KCl)</italic> = -0.672, <italic>P</italic> &lt; 0.001; βMg <italic>= -0.676</italic>, P <italic>&lt; 0.001;</italic> βFe <italic>= -0.514</italic>, P <italic>&lt; 0.001) with distance of sample site from gravel roads. Electric conductivity (EC) of pine bark and the extent of ozone damage of the first year needles Idam significantly decreased with distance from the sea</italic> (βozone <italic>= -0.507</italic>, P <italic>&lt; 0.01;</italic> βEC <italic>= -0.453</italic>, P <italic>&lt; 0.01). PCA of the pine bark chemistry data showed dust pollution from gravel roads to be the main factor responsible for the 33% variation of data. No statistically significant correlations were found between different bioindicator characteristics, except between first and second year ozone damage (ρ = 0.589</italic>, P = 0.01).</abstract>

Environmental quality assessment of the Lake Engure drainage area, which is the LT(S)ER region of the Latvian National Long-term Ecological Research network (Latvia LTER), was conducted using three bioindication methods based on Scots pine Pinus sylvestris L.: unspecific bioindication by pine needle tip necrosis, ground level ozone assessment by pine needle chlorotic mottling, and chemical analysis of pine bark. Samples were collected from 40 sites of the region in November 2010. Extent of needle tip necroses did not exceed class 4 (maximum possible value 6). The highest value of index of needle damage by ozone was Idam = 1.62 (maximum possible value 6). Multiple regression analysis of variables describing bark chemistry and needle damage in relation to distance from the sea, nearest roads and villages was performed. Pine bark acidity pH(KCl) and concentration of Mg and Fe decreased significantly (βpH(KCl) = -0.672, P < 0.001; βMg = -0.676, P < 0.001; βFe = -0.514, P < 0.001) with distance of sample site from gravel roads. Electric conductivity (EC) of pine bark and the extent of ozone damage of the first year needles Idam significantly decreased with distance from the sea (βozone = -0.507, P < 0.01; βEC = -0.453, P < 0.01). PCA of the pine bark chemistry data showed dust pollution from gravel roads to be the main factor responsible for the 33% variation of data. No statistically significant correlations were found between different bioindicator characteristics, except between first and second year ozone damage (ρ = 0.589, P = 0.01).

Environmental quality assessment of the drainage basin of Lake Engure using Scots pine as a bioindicator

Faculty of Geography and Earth Sciences, University of Latvia, Rīga, Alberta iela 10, LV-11010, LATVIA

Institute of Biology, University of Latvia, Miera iela 3, Salaspils, LV-2169, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

Environmental quality assessment of the Lake Engure drainage area, which is the LT(S)ER region of the Latvian National Long-term Ecological Research network...

Environmental quality assessment of the drainage basin of Lake Engure using Scots pine as a bioindicator

Published Online: Jun 28, 2012

Page range: 178 - 185

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-011-0034-0

Keywords
LT(S)ER region, ground level ozone damage, chemistry of pine bark, pine needle necroses

This content is open access.

Environmental quality assessment of the drainage basin of Lake Engure using Scots pine as a bioindicator

Published Online: Jun 28, 2012

Page range: 178 - 185

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-011-0034-0

KeywordsLT(S)ER region, ground level ozone damage, chemistry of pine bark, pine needle necroses

This content is open access.

Keywords
LT(S)ER region, ground level ozone damage, chemistry of pine bark, pine needle necroses